Consulting

Image of maquette for recent project, 2019, by Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva. Photo courtesy the artist.

I am particularly drawn to working with and spending time with practicing artists and creative entrepreneurs, working to develop my understanding their thought processes and acts of making, and doing my best as a curator and communicator to share the experiences and insights which I gain with much wider audiences. I strongly believe in the arts as a tool not only for creative expression, but to communicate and explore ideas both simple and complex, and to enable people to live and develop better lives.

I offer advice (and mentoring in some circumstances), having expertise in developing, marketing and delivering exhibitions, including researching artists, makers and other creative suppliers; writing interpretative texts; working collaboratively to create related participation programmes; and managing touring projects.

Aside from the many designer-makers in the Design-Nation portfolio for whom I regularly offer support and advice as part of my “day job”, I’ve also had longer term mentoring and development relationships with these artist and makers:

Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, sculpture and installations, 2019 –

Jane Hoodless, mixed media artist, Cockpit Arts artist in residence, 2017-2019

British Tapestry Group 2015- 2016

Ruth Singer, textile artist, 2014- 2016

I have also been a selector/juror for a number of exhibitions and awards, including:

2019    Judge Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) 2020 External Exhibitions awards

             Judge Royal Dublin Society (RDS) 2020 Irish Craft Bursary

2018     Judge DCCI 2019 External Exhibitions awards

              Judge RDS 2019 Irish Craft Bursary 

              Selector DCCI National Portfolio 2019-2020.

              Opening Speaker, Lasting Impressions exhibition curated by Gregory Parsons, DCCoI.

2014 – 2018 Judge New Designers One Year In (annual event showcasing emerging talent), London.

2017        Judge DCCI 2018 External Exhibitions awards

2012 – 2017  Selector Design Factory designer-maker membership panels.

2011         Selector, Woven Threads, British Tapestry Group, Orleans House, Richmond, London.

2010          Selector, 4th Riga Triennial of Textile and Fibre Art, Museum of Decorative Arts, Riga, Latvia.